Kufri is a small hill station in the Himachal Pradesh capital district, Shimla. At a distance of 15 Kilometers from Shimla, it is the most loved tourist place to visit near Shimla.
After a bit of trekking, the vistas and temples are worth the time. Most of the tourists who are visiting Shimla, merge Kufri, Chail, Mashobra, Naldehra, Koti, or Narkanda along with other places to visit in Shimla.
In the local language of Himachal Pradesh, Kufr means a lake that gives it the name Kufri. Today, it has developed into a fascinating and adventuresome sightseer address. As it is a small town, there are not many tourist places in Kufri; however, being close to Shimla and at a height of 2720 meters; makes it filled with snow through the winters. Kufri is the starting point of Fagu, Shimla, Manali, and Rewalsar treks of Himachal Pradesh.
Kufri Fun World
Being at a height of 2720 m above sea level, Kufri Fun World is amongst the highest amusement parks in the world. Situated at the top of Mahasu peak, it has the highest go-karting track in the world. Enjoy the ride of a swinging boat and mary-go-round at the top of the hill, all of it while enjoying the panoramic views of Kufri town.
The adventure is not only inside the Kufri Fun Campus, reaching to the park itself is an expedition. You can trek the Mahasu peak either on feet or enjoy the bumpy ride on a mule. After all this fun and tiredness, you can enjoy some snacks and meals at the canteen serving delicious local and international cuisines.
The entry fee to the park is Rs. 250 per person. The park closes on national holidays and days with extreme weather conditions. You should contact the park administration or ask your local tour agent or hotel staff, before scheduling a visit.
If you love trekking, then you can explore the nearby hiking trails, which offer spectacular views across the surrounding mountains.
Skiing in Kufri
In winters, Kufri is covered with a beautiful white layer of snow, which makes its visitors astonished. The slopes, heights, and the carpet of snow make Kufri a perfect adventurous platform for skiing. It is a paradise for adventure-seeking skiers and hosts many adventurous sports. From the time of the first snowfall to the time it melts, Kufri lures thousands of tourists every year.
When winter starts and Kufri receives its first snowfall in the middle of December to the time when snow ends in February, it is the best time for snow and adventure lover travelers to visit places in Kufri. Kufri is famous for its thrilling hills and deep valley, making it perfect for some breathtaking skiing encounter.
Mahasu peak
Mahasu is the highest peak in Kufri, offering breathtaking views of Badrinath and Kedarnath ranges. As the track is muddy and not suitable for walking, you can reach the top by riding a horse or a pony. However, hiking or trekking is the best way to travel through a lush forest of deodar and spruce up to the top. The Nag Temple on top of the peak is a scene to observe, as is the picturesque landscape from the top.
The Himalayan Nature Park
The Himalayan Nature Park Kufri, popularly known as Kufri Zoo, was established in 1992. Since 1965, before setting up the Nature Park, a part of the present area of the park, used to be the Musk Deer Farm. It is located in 90 hectares of fair vegetation that forms a natural habitat for many wild animals of the Western Himalaya.
The natural habitat of the Nature Park houses selected Himalayan animal species, primarily for the education of visitors. However, the animal enclosures here are big enough to provide opportunities for the wild animals to be in their near natural habitat. The animals are allowed to relax after a morning meal behind a shrub or a large boulder (leopard) or even to hibernate (brown bear) during winter.
You need to spend time to sight these animals in the wild to appreciate the Himalayan fauna here.
Other engaging animals in the Nature Park are Musk Deer, Bharal, Black Bear, Tibetan Wolf, Leopard Cat, Sambhar, Ghoral, Barking Deer, Monal, White Crested Kalij, and Cheer pheasant.
Zoo Timing
- WINTER: 9:30 am. to 5:30 pm.
- SUMMER: 9:00 am. to 6:30 pm.
Open 6 Days in a Week (Except Tuesday)
Entry Fees
- ADULTS: Rs.30/-
- CHILDREN : Rs.20/
- CAMERA : Rs.50/-
Indira Tourist Park
It is considered that Indira Gandhi visited this region for signing the Shimla Agreement with Pakistan in the year 1972, and since then, this region is named Indira Tourist Park. It is located near the Himalayan Nature Park and is one of the famous tourist spots in Kufri.
The park includes a beer bar, a video games parlor, and an ice-cream parlor in the Lalit Café for revitalization and snacks. The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) governs the Cafe. You can enjoy lip-smacking snacks and beverages here. You can capture the memories in Himachali clothes and make your visit remarkable.
How to reach Kufri
Reaching Kufri By Flight
The nearest airport is the Jabbar Bhatti airport near Shimla connecting flights from Delhi airport (at a distance of 372 kilometres). You can easily get a cab for Kufri from there. However, the nearest major airport is in Chandigarh which is at a distance of 138 Kilometers from Kufri.
Reaching Kufri By Train
The nearest railway station is Shimla at a distance of 15 Kilometers from Kufri. The Kalka to Shimla toy train is not directly connected to major railway stations in India. You need to take a train to Chandigarh or Ambala from any of the major railway stations, take a train to Kalka, and then enjoy the ride on one of the UNESCO world heritage sites.
Reaching Kufri By Road
Kufri is easily accessible by road. You can easily get a bus from Shimla, Narkanda, and Rampur. If you are traveling from Delhi or Chandigarh, then you can take a Volvo Bus to Shimla and then take a bus to Kufri. You can also privately hire a cab from any of the local tour operators. I would recommend bargaining for the price.
Conclusion
From picturesque views to adventurous activities, Kufri has something to lure all kinds of travelers. In Summers, you can enjoy rides in Kufri Fun World, and in Winters, you can have the thrilling skiing and Tobogganing on the snow carpet. Every day is the best time to visit Kufri.
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